Raudh Ahmed Zilal, the suspect in the case involving the fall of Hawwa Yumn Rasheed, initially told police investigators that she fell while he was holding her, according to the Presidential Commission’s inquiry report submitted to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
Yumn was found on April 18 after falling from H. Fentenoey onto the roof of the adjacent H. Mitaaz. The incident triggered a high-profile investigation into the circumstances surrounding her fall.
The report, which includes statements from both Raudh and the officers involved in the initial questioning, reveals that Raudh was summoned by police before an arrest warrant was obtained. During the first round of questioning, he requested access to legal counsel and informed officers that his phone screen was broken.
"According to Raudh, Yumn fell while he was holding her, and his wrists were seen to be red. Therefore, photos of his body were taken through a SOCO [Scene of Crime Officer] officer," states page 31 of the report.
It adds that due to a lack of strong suspicion at the time, Raudh was not arrested and was instead questioned as part of a preliminary investigation.
The commission noted inconsistencies in Raudh's statements. He initially said the incident occurred at the home of Yumn’s friend, later changing his account to say it was also his friend’s residence.
When questioned about this contradiction, Raudh reportedly remained silent. After his lawyer arrived, he claimed he could not remember anything about the night.
Raudha later told the commission that he does not recall the events of that evening. As a result, the commission was unable to determine definitively whether Yumn jumped or fell. However, it concluded, based on available evidence, that she most likely fell and that Raudh may have been negligent.
The Prosecutor General’s Office has charged Raudh with failing to provide assistance to a person in need without reasonable cause. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of one month and six days. He has already spent 34 days in detention, meaning he would only be required to serve two additional days if found guilty.
The evidence presented against him includes police and witness statements, photographs, forensic reports, and documentation from Scene of Crime Officers. However, the commission's report also highlights several shortcomings in the police investigation process.
